Sadly we left Napier this morning and headed inland. The drive was through cattle country (again!) - we must say that New Zealand should have the cheapest beef prices in the world. It doesn't but it should have!!! Actually they have very cheap cheese - yeahhhhh! So we have been eating delicious blue and brie along with the standard colby, edam, etc.
One observation we have made that has been reinforced by todays drive is that the rivers (big and small) are extremely clean - no silt in the water like we have in BC (eg Fraser River -ugh!),...

Had a change of plan. I had booked 2nights in Wellington for the Rugby. It was an 8 bed dorm that was going to cost us $200. Instead we had the idea of staying outside the capital and gettting the train in. Paraparaumu was an ideal place saving us $60 over the 2 nights and again we had the best room in the house overlooking the beach.
Met some characters here. One guy called Luke had had enough of Auckland and has been living in the YHA for the last 7 months just being a bum really. Gets up when he wants and just drinks. However he is...

Today we went to Southward Car Museum, a large private collection of old cars and motorcycles. It was really done well and we really enjoyed it. It even included a 1950 Cadillac owned by Mickey Cohen. It had a bomb proof floor, armored doors, 1”+ bullet proof power windows and a hinged bullet proof windshield to allow shooting at cars you are pursuing.
This is a real treasure for anyone interested in cars or motorcycles. The 59' Plymouth Fury was parked outside, apparently owned by another visitor.
I have included a couple of pictures of...

Jeff
Today is Sunday and we are travelling north to Paraparaumu so as to be ready for our trip to Kapiti Island tomorrow. This is the second time we have left this campsite after 3 nights of stay and it has been memorable, not least for the admirable sentiments of energy saving. The toilet block has a very sophisticated lighting system which switches on when you pass through a light beam, and the light stays on for 3 whole minutes. Unfortunately if you enter the block at night when the light is already on, and are still, (let us speculate),...

We spent the weekend staying with friends, Diane and Wayne, in Paraparaumu, located about an hour north of Wellington. They were wonderful hosts and it was the best place that we stayed while traveling in New Zealand! Upon our late arrival on Saturday night, we sat up had some wine and snacks and chatted. On Sunday morning, we awoke to an amazing breakfast courtesy of chef Wayne. I then went for a motorcycle ride with Wayne. Normally I am scared to death of motorcycles, but I felt remarkably safe! It helped that I was wearing Diane's...